Rahul lying to people at election rallies: Javadekar

Union minister Prakash Javadekar Thursday accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of lying to people at his election rallies, asserting that an untruth does not become the truth even if it is spoken loudly. Javadekar's remarks came a day after Gandhi addressed a public rally in Bikaner city in the run-up to the assembly election in Rajasthan on December 7. Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over "corruption" in the Rafale deal signed with France, repeating the charge that Anil Ambani's Reliance group benefited from a related offset contract. He levelled similar charges denied by the government and the Reliance Group at his public meetings in Dholpur, Bharatpur and Dausa districts on Tuesday. Javadekar, BJP's poll in-charge for Rajasthan, said Gandhi's "lies" will no longer work as the Congress president has not been "taught properly".

"Rahul Gandhi has learnt a new mantra. He has been taught that tell a lie in high voice so that it appears true. But he has not been taught properly. A lie is always a lie and it never turns into truth," Javadekar said. Speaking at a 'Naari Shakti Sammelan' programme, the human resource development minister said the opposition Congress has no face in Rajasthan and the ruling BJP would return to power after the assembly election. "The number of BJP-ruled states and our number (of MPs) in Lok Sabha will increase in time to come. Vasundhara Raje will once again become chief minister in Rajasthan," he claimed. Javadekar highlighted the social welfare schemes run by BJP-led central and state governments. "Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan and Bhamashah schemes are the examples of good governance.

PM Narendra Modi also provided relief to women of the country by giving them free LPG gas connection," he said. Bhamashah Yojana is a scheme introduced by Rajasthan government to transfer financial and non-financial benefits directly to women recipients. Chief Minister Raje said her recently-concluded 'Gaurav Yatra' received a good response from women. She said BJP's prospects were bright for the state election. BJP's state president Madan Lal Saini and other party leaders were present at the programme.